Hammock Camping in the Lake District

Me and the boys met up on a rainy, cold and dark friday night in a car park in Buttermere, with the idea of hanging our hammocks for a couple of stealthy nights camping  in the Lake District. Perfect conditions for us to set up then eh?

It was around 10pm when we all finally arrived, finishing our work for the week and each coming from a different corner of the country for a weekend in the trees. We grabbed our gear and headed off on a short walk to the spot, a small cluster of woodland not far from the water's edge, and nestled in the valley below Alfred Wainwright's resting place, Haystacks.

It was all systems go to get set up, and being my first proper night not spent in a tent, maybe setting up my sleep system in the pitch black and pissing down rain wasn't the ideal scenario. Thankfully, there were a couple of veteran hammockers available to help get the job done.

After we were all set up, it was time to hunker down under some tarps, get the tables, chairs, stoves and scran out, crack open some tinnies and have a feast. Steak and veg was order of the day, and it was well deserved after a long drive to the meeting spot, and a set up made slightly stressful by the conditions. What can you expect though, it was February in the Lake District. Anyway, it was all made worth it once we woke up the next day...

The first night in the hammock was an experience, and my setup isn't as refined as it could, so the lack of an underquilt made for a bit of a chilly night. It was also weird to get used to sleeping elevated from the ground, and there is definitely a knack to finding a comfy spot. However, we woke up to some semi-clear skies and what looked to be a perfect day to climb a mountain, which was good news, as the heights of Haystacks was our destination for the day. 

After fuelling up for the day and packing our bags, we decided to leave the setups as they were, and head out in to the fells for a glorious hike, with our homes for the night waiting for us once again when we returned. I wouldn't recommend this whilst wild camping, but we were confident that our spot wouldn't be compromised, and of course after our 2 nights at the spot, we made sure to leave no trace of us ever being there.

After grouping up with a couple more of the crew in the morning, we headed upwards to the summit of Haystacks, and the whole time had our eyes on our subtle spot in the woods, awaiting our return. The hike was short but sweet, and steep. The summit itself felt like being on another planet, there isn't one specific summit so-to-speak, more multiple mini mountains and tarns that make up the whole of Haystacks.

After scrambling, exploring and mooching around on the tops, it was time to loop round to Warnscale Bothy, a small stone building nestled in the top of the valley, and the perfect respite on a cold winters day or night, if you can grab a spot in there that is. Obviously with our home waiting for us at the bottom of the hill, we only planned to visit, stop off for some food, and head back down to base. It was a good job we did too as the place was occupied. We stopped and chatted to the lads that were staying there the night, who had coals burning on the fire to keep the place warm, and had all the supplies they could need for their cosy night in.

I've actually stayed in the bothy before with a friend of mine, and it's definitely worth a venture up there if you're willing to turn back or pitch up, when you find it's already full.